Finding relief after decades of arthritic knee pain

Catherine’s knees hurt constantly as a child. She was born with unusually small kneecaps, which left her knees unstable and in chronic pain. By the time she reached her teenage years, Catherine even had to rely on crutches occasionally to walk — and for some much-needed pain relief.

Through the years, Catherine experienced injuries and rehabs, and endured a devastating car accident that took a toll on her legs. In time, severe osteoarthritis set in, making the simple tasks of walking, climbing stairs and getting up from a chair painful and difficult.

Ending a lifetime of knee pain

It wasn’t until last year at age 81 that Catherine finally experienced something she hadn't in decades — the joy of near-pain-free movement. The answer was in a little-known treatment for osteoarthritis called low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT), which she now undergoes periodically under the guidance of Kenneth Blank, MD, medical director of radiation oncology at Atlantic Heath Chilton Medical Center.

“For the first time ever, my right knee is essentially pain-free, and my left knee is significantly better,” says Catherine. “I’m walking more comfortably than I have in years. My knees feel so good, in fact, that my husband and I are planning a holiday cruise.”

Building a reliable medical team close to home

Catherine was already familiar with Atlantic Health when she moved to Pompton Plains a few years ago. She credits two doctors there for guiding her toward low-dose radiation therapy: her sports medicine physician Timothy O'Sullivan, MD, and her hematologist Andrew Bernstein, MD.

“Our first choice in physicians is always Atlantic Health, and we’ve never been disappointed,” says Catherine. “I have long admired Atlantic Health Morristown and Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Centers for their excellent reputations. It was one of the reasons my husband and I chose to move to here.”

Finding a new treatment approach

Surgery was never an option for Catherine, so she long relied on conventional treatment — physical therapy, cortisone injections and medication. But none provided lasting relief. Then last year, when a friend told her about low-dose radiation therapy and how it could possibly help her osteoarthritis, she was intrigued.  

As a career journalist, Catherine did what came naturally to her — she started researching it.

“After I did some research, I spoke to Dr. O’Sullivan and he thought it was worth a try,” says Catherine. “My treatments began in Flemington where I used to live, and I noticed a change after the second session. Now, I am continuing my care close to home with Dr. Blank, and the difference is nothing short of remarkable.”

Treatment that targets the source of the pain

Low-dose radiation therapy is a noninvasive approach that uses targeted low levels of radiation to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in arthritic joints.

Dr. Blank explains, “We started with imaging and careful treatment planning to allow us to deliver targeted low-dose radiation to the affected areas of Catherine’s knees. She underwent the standard course of treatment, six brief outpatient sessions over three weeks. The sessions are painless, require no anesthesia and allow patients to return to activities immediately.”

Catherine adds, “It is physically and psychologically easy. The team knows exactly what they’re doing and they know how to make you comfortable. I also appreciate the convenience of receiving care close to home. Start to finish, it’s easy.”

Bringing her message to the masses

Catherine remembers her first visit with Dr. Blank. His medical credentials on the office wall initially caught her attention, but it was his warm, easygoing personality that quickly put her at ease. As her treatment progressed, Catherine had an idea.

Drawing on her career in journalism and public relations, Catherine encouraged her senior living community’s medical staff to host a presentation by Dr. Blank for hundreds of residents — and already several have pursued LDRT for themselves.

“I told Dr. Blank that he should come speak to the residents of our retirement community because I knew it would be a win-win situation,” she says. “I never imagined I could feel this good again — and I want other people to find the same relief.”